Track-type toy

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle and a track are provided on which the toy vehicle travels. The track is composed of connectable track components forming a guide surface for the vehicle, a conduit which can be connected with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings which communicate the conduit with the surface so that the compressed gas which escapes through these openings forms a gas cushion above the surface on which the toy vehicle can slide.

United States Patent 1191 Fischer 1 July 29, 1975 54] TRACK-TYPE TOY 3,340,822 9/1967 13618821116 104/130 3,516,361 6/1970 Hart 104/23 FS [761 lnvenmrl Escher, Ahhemer Sims 3,804,997 4/1974 Schwarzler 104/23 FS 219, 7741 Tumlingen, Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 16, 1974 Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr.

Assistant ExaminerD. W. Kern [21] Appl 433381 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 57] ABSTRACT Feb. 19, 1973 Germany 2301893 Feb. 19, 1973 Germany 2308089 A my Vehicle and a track are Provided which the Jan. 8, 1973 Germany 2300645 my vehicle tfavels- The track is composed 0f connectable track components forming a guide surface for the 52 U.S. c1. 104/23 rs; 104/134; 46/216 vehicle, a conduit which can be connected with a 51 Int. Cl ..B61b 13/08 some of gas under Pressure, and a plurality of [58] Field of Search 104/23 FS, 130, 134; formly distributed P p g which communi- 46/216 217 2 cate the conduit with the surface so that the compressed gas which escapes through these openings [56] References Cited forms a gas cushion above the surface on which the UNITED STATES PATENTS Knox 104/23 ES toy vehicle can slide.

15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAENTED JULZS 1975 SHEET PATENTEB JULZQISYS SHEET TRACK-TYPE TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a toy, and more particularly to a track-type toy.

Track-type toys are already well known in the art. for instance in form of toy railroads or toy racing car sets. In railroads, the engine and cars are guided on rails, and in auto racing sets a track is provided which has a longitudinally extending rib or groove engaging at the underside of the toy automobiles respective guide portions which serve to guide the automobile along the track.

The problem with these toy track arrangements in both instances, and particularly in case of relatively high-speed toy racing tracks, is that the amount of friction which develops between the surface of the guide track and the wheels of the respective vehicle while not excessively high is nevertheless not negligible. Moreover, adequate traction between wheels and guide surface is frequently not assured, particularly at high acceleration, so that the wheels tend to spin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTlON It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved track-type toy which avoids these disadvantages.

In keeping with the above objects, and with others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a track-type toy in a combination which comprises a toy vehicle and a track for guiding the toy vehicle. According to the invention the track is composed of track components which form a guide surface for the vehicle, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating the conduit with the surface so that the compressed gas escaping through the openings forms a gas cushion above the surface on which the toy vehicle can slide.

Since the toy vehicle is guided for movement longitudinally of the track, it is assured that it will always be located over those regions of the track where the compressed gas cushion usually air cushion is present so that the vehicle will always be supported in a hovering relationship slightly spaced above the upper surface of the track. The track may for instance be provided with a depression in its upper surface which is slightly wider than the width of the vehicle so that the vehicle is guided by the side walls of this depression. In this case, the side walls are also provided with pin-hole openings so that some of the compressed gas (e.g. air) can escape out of these additional openings and serve to center the vehicle as it travels in the depression.

It is evident that the flow speed at which the air or other gas issues from the pin-hole openings must be the greater the heavier the vehicle to be supported. Because these openings are very small and hence the term pin-hole openings the air loss during operation is relatively small despite the fact that air constantly escapes of all openings over the entire length of the track. Of course, if the track is of relatively large dimensions, it may be advantageous to subdivide the conduit system into several smaller sections each of which is supplied by a separate source (e.g. compressor) with compressed air. A valve system combined with a pneumatic or electronic control can also be utilized, if desired, in order to supply air only to that region of the track over which the vehicle is located at a given moment.

The hover-craft principle, wherein a vehicle hovers on a cushion of compressed air is of course known in the general engineering technique however not in the toy field. However, in general engineering applications the vehicle itself carries a compressor or compressors which produce the compressed air. This has, inter alia, the disadvantage, that if two or more such vehicles are to'be united in form of a train or chain" each vehicle must produce its own air cushion. In contradistinction to this, the present invention makes it possible to connect as many vehicles as desired in form of a train or chain, and to use only a single source of compressed air, or perhaps more than a single source if the track is particularly large but certainly not as many sources as vehicles that can be connected to form a train. Moreover, the illumination of a source to be carried in each of the individual vehicles makes it possible to make the vehicles light in weight and small, and also of course inexpensive, which for the first time makes it possible to utilize the hover-craft principle in a toy.

To obtain forward movement of the vehicle, a single vehicle or any or all of the vehicles of a set may be provided with an air screw which is driven by a motor. for instance, an electromotor, but it is also possible to use a linear motor or simply to rely on gravity by downwardly inclining the track.

The track itself may be composed of straight and/or curved sections each having a journal portion, part of which extends beyond one axial end of the section can be inserted into a recess provided at an axial end of another section so that it communicates with the journal or conduit portion of that other section. This provides a mechanical and pneumatic connection between these sections. By providing both the straight and curved track sections, tracks of desired configuration can be readily built according to the desire of the playing child. The projecting conduit portions and the recesses may be matingly conical in configuration.

The track may be provided with a central longitudinally extending guide rail or guide groove, and the pinholes may by located opposite lateral sides of the rail or groove. The vehicle may be provided with wheels which roll on the rail to provide proper guidance for the vehicle.

At least one of the track sections may be provided with an additional preferably laterally arranged inlet connection for the supply of air. Usually a single such track section with a connection is sufficient, but two or more may be provided as outlined above if for instance two or more compressors are used.

Electrical conductors may be provided on the track extending longitudinally thereof to supply electric energy for the drive motor of the vehicle which electric energy can be picked up and supplied to the drive motor by means of brushes or pins or the like. These conductors can be provided at the underside of the upper surface of the track or at opposite lateral surfaces of a guide rail or a guide groove.

The electrical connection between the portions of the conductors on the respective track sections can be provided by forming the end faces of the track sections with recesses into which portions of the conductors are bent over so that the portions on adjacent track sections can springily engage one another in electrically conductive relationship when the track sections are connected.

The underside of the vehicle can be provided with longitudinally extending grooves. If the underside is flat, than the air cushion is not laterally delimited and this results in an increased air loss. However, if the grooves mentioned above are provided, the air cushion will predominantly form in these grooves and will be delimited by them which results in a substantially smaller air loss. This means that a lesser amount of compressed air is required to maintain a vehicle having these grooves on an air cushion, then would be required for a vehicle of similar dimension and weight the underside of which is flat. Moreover, the lateral delimitation of the air cushion provides for a desirable centering effect, which may in itself be fully sufficient for properly guiding the vehicle lengthwise of the track.

This centering effect can be further enhanced if the grooves are of a cross section which converges from their open side, for instance in V-shaped configuration, that is which converges in upward direction when the vehicle is placed in position on the track. The inclined side walls bounding such converging grooves produce in addition to the force component which maintains the vehicle spaced from the upper surface of the track, additional oppositely directed horizontal force components which tend to cancel one another out as long as the vehicle is located precisely in vertical alignment above the track. However, if the vehicle shifts laterally of the track, then a force component develops which tends to return the vehicle back to its original position.

The invention also contemplates a provision of a track switch by means of which the vehicle can be switched from a main to an auxiliary track, or back. Such a track switch must be so constructed that the inertia of the vehicle in the direction of movement will initially act almost tangentially upon the track switch. The friction of the vehicle sliding on the air cushion is almost zero, at least when the vehicle has a flat underside, so that aside from the centrifugal force no other forces will be transmitted to the track switch as the latter switches the vehicle from one track to another.

There may be two track switches provided, one each for the main track and an auxiliary track which can be connected with one another in such a manner that derailment of the vehicle is avoided. If portions of the vehicle extend laterally beyond the track, then the track switch can be so constructed that recesses or cutouts are provided through which portions of the vehicle which extends laterally beyond the track can pass during switching of the vehicle between tracks. These cutouts must be at least so wide and so deep that the vehicle can cross one track without contacting the same.

A substantial advantage of the type of tracks here in question is the fact that no compressed-air carrying components must be moved so that the track can be installed fixedly on a support. Only the track switches themselves must be moved.

The novel features which are considered as charac teristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration, showing a vehicle with a portion of-a track section according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section through FIG. 1;

FIG. 3' is a :view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a somewhat different embodiment; ,and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top-plan view illustrating a track switch.

DESCRIPTION OFTI-IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be understood that the track according to the present invention will be composed of a plurality of track sections 1 which in the illustrated embodiment have 'anupper surface formed with a longitudinally extending centrally located guide rib or rail 2. In this embodiment,-also, two vehicles have been illust'rated of which the vehicle 3 is pr'ovided with an electromotor 7 which drives an air screw 6 in rotation. Each of the vehicles is provided in its underside 4 with a recess 5 which extends longitudinally of the vehicle and is so dimensioned as to receive the rib 2 as shown in FIG. 2. If an elect'romotor is utilized for the motor 7, although a different motor could also be employed, then it is possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the air screw 6 by reversing the direction of operation of the motor, to provide forward or backward movement of the vehicle.-

The upper surface 9 of each track section 1 is provided with a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings 8 which communicate with aconduit section 11 formed in the respective section 1 and which is in turn connectable via a bore 14 of an inlet 10 with a (non-illustrated) source of compressed gas, for instance an air compressor. The quantity of air supplied depends upon the size of the total installation composed of aselected numbe'r of'thesections 1, and upon the weight-of the vehicle 3. The air which escapes from the pin-hole openings 8 forms above the surface 9 an air cushion on whichthevehicle 3 slides, with the air cushion servingto maintain the vehicle 3 out of contact with the track section 1. I

A mechanical and pneumatic connection between the individual track sections can be established in a very simple manner by having at least one tubular portion l2'which communicates with the respective conduit section 11 project beyond an axial end of the respective track section so that it can be extended into a recess 13 provided in an axial end of an adjacent track section. Advantage'ously, both the portion 12 and the recess 13 should be conical to provide a better seal and a better and more reliable coupling between them.

The vehicle 3 is provided in this embodiment with wheels orrollers 15 which are mounted on it for turning movement about vertically oriented axes and which engage the opposite lateralsidefaces of the rib 2, to provide guidance of the vehicle along the same. This of course reduces the friction between the vehicle and the rib.

If the motor 7 is an electromotor, the upper surface 9 of each track section is provided with electrical conductors 16 extending longitudinally of the track section and which are engaged by pins 17 provided at the underside4 of the vehicleand connected in turn with the between them.

The side walls of'the track sections 1 may be provided withsuitable coupling portions, for instance projecting undercut coupling heads or-undercut coupling grooves by means of which othercomponents of a toy buildingse-t may beconnectedw'ith the track.

The vehicle 3 may also be guided on the track in that the rib 2 is omitted and the side wall portions of the track section I extend "upwardly at opposite lateral sides of the vehicle 3,- in the same manner as the rib 2, and are provided with pin holes through whichair issues in direction inwardly towards the vehicle to maintain the same centered and guided. i

Coming to FIG. 3=-it will be seen that here a track section 1 is again provided with a journal or conduit section 11 and with the pin-hole openings 8. In this embodiment, however, the underside 4 of the vehicle 3 is provided in its underside 4 with twolongitudinally extending grooves 20 which are so arranged that they are located above the pin-hole openings 8. To improve the centering effect as discussed earlier thecrosssection of the grooves is of inverted V-shape. In other respects, the embodiment of FIG. 3 resembles that of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Coming", finally, to FIG. 4, it will be seen that this illustrates a track switch for switching a vehicle from one track to another. Such a track switch can be used with a track assembled from the track sections 1 (only one shown) of FIGS. 1 and 3.

The track switch in FIG. 4 shows a main track 32 and an auxiliary track 31 which latter forms a curve or bend that extends away from the track 32. Both of the tracks 31, 32 are provided on theirupper surface 33 with uniformly distributed pin-hole openings 34 corresponding to the openings 8 of the preceding Figures, from which the compressed air necessary to maintain the vehicle 35 in hovering relationship, issues. The conduit system 36 is connectable with a source ofgcompressed air, for instance a compressor, in the manner described earlier.

The longitudinal guidance of the vehicle 35 in this embodiment takes place via compressedfair which issues from pin-hole openings 36 against lateral portions 38 of the vehicle 35, to thus maintain the vehicle in proper position.

The diversion of the vehicle 35 from one to the other of the tracks takes place via an arrangement 39 which can be selectively placed into communication with one or the other of the tracks. In the illustrated position, the portion 39a, which is configurated as a guide element with a curved portion 40 and an inclined portion 41, diverts the vehicle 35 from the main track 32 onto the auxiliary track 31. The portion 39 for the main track 32 is disengaged in this position. However, if the vehicle 35 is to be diverted to the main track 32 then the arrangement 39b is moved to engaging position whereas the arrangement 39a for the track 31 is moved at the same time to disengaging position.

To assure that the overhanging portions of the vehicle will not contact one track, or any track portion as they cross from one track to another, cutouts 42 are provided in the extension of the'side walls ofeach track on the other track which is crossed by the respective track.

The vehicle 35 is again driven by air screw 44 which may beoperated by a battery-driven electromotor 43.

or in another suitable manner.

It will be understood that each of the elements described" above, ortwo or more together; may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above..

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a track-type toy, it is not intended tobe limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. p

Without" further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is clainied as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. I claim: z

1. Ina track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and each having two iongitudinally spaced erid facesfa conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure and being composed of conduit sections each associated with a track section and having one projecting end portion extending outwardly beyond one of said end faces, the other end face of each track section being provided with a recess which communicates with the associated conduit section and into which said projecting end portion of the conduit section of another track section is insertable for connecting said track sections and conduit sections together, and a plurality of at least substantially uniformly distributed openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said openings are pin-hole openings.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, said guide surface having a centrally located longitudinally extending guide portion; and wherein said openings are located at opposite lateral sides of said guide portion.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide portion is a guide rail.

5. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide portion is a guide groove.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1; further comprising a connecting portion on at least one of said track components for connecting said conduit with said source.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said track components comprises a track switch.

8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said track switch has portions of a main track and an auxiliary track which cross one another; and wherein each of said tracks is formed with cut-outs for portions of said vehicle which extend laterally beyond the respective track.

9. A combination as defined in claim 1, said vehicle having a side which in operation faces said surface and is provided with grooves extending longitudinally of said vehicle.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said grooves are of inwardly convergent cross-section.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said grooves are of inwardly convergent V -shaped cross-section. I

12. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle including an electric motor; a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and each having longitudinally spaced end faces provided with recesses, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide; and electrical conductors extending longitudinally of said track and provided on the same for supplying electric energy to said electric motor, said conductors being composed of a plurality of conductor lengths which are each provided on one of said track components and have two spaced terminal portions which are bent so as to be located in the respective recesses of the associated track component.

13. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle,

said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and including a track switch having a rail which guides said vehicle at least at one lateral outer side thereof and which has an elastically yieldable leading end portion, a conduit adapted for connectionwith a source of gas under pressure, and aplurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide.

14. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and including a track switch having laterally adjacent vertically journalled rollers, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and, a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openingsforms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide.

15. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components having a guide surface for said vehicle and forming a main track and an auxiliary track, a main track switch interposed in said main track and an auxiliary track switch interposed in said auxiliary track and connected with said main track switch for movement in unison therewith so that saidivehicle may be switched from onelto the other of saidftrack, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface agas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide. 

1. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and each having two longitudinally spaced end faces, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure and being composed of conduit sections eacH associated with a track section and having one projecting end portion extending outwardly beyond one of said end faces, the other end face of each track section being provided with a recess which communicates with the associated conduit section and into which said projecting end portion of the conduit section of another track section is insertable for connecting said track sections and conduit sections together, and a plurality of at least substantially uniformly distributed openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said openings are pin-hole openings.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1, said guide surface having a centrally located longitudinally extending guide portion; and wherein said openings are located at opposite lateral sides of said guide portion.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide portion is a guide rail.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide portion is a guide groove.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1; further comprising a connecting portion on at least one of said track components for connecting said conduit with said source.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said track components comprises a track switch.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said track switch has portions of a main track and an auxiliary track which cross one another; and wherein each of said tracks is formed with cut-outs for portions of said vehicle which extend laterally beyond the respective track.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 1, said vehicle having a side which in operation faces said surface and is provided with grooves extending longitudinally of said vehicle.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said grooves are of inwardly convergent cross-section.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said grooves are of inwardly convergent V-shaped cross-section.
 12. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle including an electric motor; a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and each having longitudinally spaced end faces provided with recesses, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide; and electrical conductors extending longitudinally of said track and provided on the same for supplying electric energy to said electric motor, said conductors being composed of a plurality of conductor lengths which are each provided on one of said track components and have two spaced terminal portions which are bent so as to be located in the respective recesses of the associated track component.
 13. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and including a track switch having a rail which guides said vehicle at least at one lateral outer side thereof and which has an elastically yieldable leading end portion, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide.
 14. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components forming a guide surface for said vehicle and including a track sWitch having laterally adjacent vertically journalled rollers, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide.
 15. In a track-type toy, a combination comprising a toy vehicle; and a track for guiding said toy vehicle, said track being composed of track components having a guide surface for said vehicle and forming a main track and an auxiliary track, a main track switch interposed in said main track and an auxiliary track switch interposed in said auxiliary track and connected with said main track switch for movement in unison therewith so that said vehicle may be switched from one to the other of said track, a conduit adapted for connection with a source of gas under pressure, and a plurality of uniformly distributed pin-hole openings communicating said conduit with said surface so that the compressed gas escaping through said openings forms above said surface a gas cushion on which said toy vehicle can slide. 